E-Retailers Now Accounting for Nearly Half of Book Purchases by Volume, Overtake Physical Retail

In 2012, for the first time ever, online channels accounted for more book purchases than bricks-and-mortar retail in the U.S., according to new data from Bowker Market Research.

In 2012 (through Nov.), 43.8% of books bought by consumers were sold online versus 31.6% sold in large retail chains, independent bookstores, other mass merchandisers and supermarkets. This is nearly a direct reversal of the situation in 2011, when 35.1% of books were sold online and 41.7% were sold in stores.

Online channels grew by about eight points while supermarkets, mass merchandisers and indie bookstores held their market share. It was large book retail chains that suffered the biggest market share decline — to 18.7% of book purchases versus 28.7% the year prior.